“Emily, what are you still doing here? The sixth grade hall was dismissed five
minutes ago. Did you leave something in
my room?”
Emily looked like a frightened fawn. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened to say
something, but nothing came out.
On the last day of school, students are dismissed in a
very regimented fashion. Kids tend to do
silly things that they normally wouldn’t do, as they walk out of school on the
last day. No one wants to deal with a
student in detention the day after school is let out, so we clear the building
one hall at a time.
It was easy for me to play drill sergeant the last day
because the past few weeks of school had left a sour taste in my mouth. Many teachers can describe how they lay awake
stewing over something one or two of their students did or an email one parent
sent them. It’s called “critic’s math.” Nine people can love you, but the one person
who is unhappy is all you think about.
Nine compliments plus one criticism equals one criticism.
My assigned hall was clear and I was walking out to the
front door when I ran into Emily.
“Emily, what do you need?”
“I . . . I just wanted to tell you thank you for
everything you did for me this year before I left.”
I stood there stunned.
My eyes began to fill up.
“Emily, that is so sweet." I gathered her into a big hug. "Thank you.” When I let go, I saw that Emily was now beaming.
“It’s been wonderful working with you. You have a good summer, and I’ll see you next
year . . . unless I see you in the mall,” I said.
Emily turned and walked five feet, turned around again
and shyly waved, then disappeared around the corner.
Maybe one in ten can spoil a few weeks for you, but
another one in ten can put the sparkle right back into things.
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11
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